Animals ; Liver ; drug effects ; Methylene Chloride ; toxicity ; Mice ; Oxidative Stress

Animals ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Teratogens ; toxicity

BACKGROUND:Recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 has a high affinity in myocardial tissue, and the expression of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9-enhanced green fluorescent protein (rAAV9-eGFP) in the aorta of atherosclerosis mice is not clear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the optimal time point of rAAV9-eGFP expression in the aorta of atherosclerosis mice. METHODS:Atherosclerosis model was established with high-fat diet in 30 ApoE-/-mice for 16 weeks. Among them, 25 mice were injected with 5.0×1011 vg (virus genomes) rAAV9-eGFP through the tail vein, while the remaining 5 mice were injected with saline, serving as the control group. The virus-transfected mice were kil ed at 14, 21, 28, 35 and 60 days after transfection, and aortic tissue was harvested. The expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein was detected with laser scanning confocal microscope. Western blot assays were used to detect the expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein in aorta. The expression of enhanced green fluorescent protein in vivo was observed and the optimal expression time point was determined. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:rAAV9-eGFP effectively transfected the aorta of atherosclerosis mice, enhanced green fluorescent protein was expressed in aortic tissue, and the expression intensity increased gradual y with the increasing transfection time. The highest expression level was found at 35 days after transfection and then maintained stable at 60 days. There were significant differences at different time points after transfection (P<0.001). These data indicate that rAAV9-eGFP can be effectively expressed in the aorta of atherosclerosis ApoE-/-mice and rAAV9-eGFP can be regarded as the optimal vector in the treatment of atherosclerosis.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), multipotent stem cells, can replicate as undifferentiated cells and have the potential to differentiate into different lineages of mesenchymal tissues, including bone, cartilage,endothelial, neural, smooth muscle, skeletal myoblasts, and cardiac myocyte cells. The ischemia-induced death of cardiomyocytes results in scar formation and reduced contractility of the ventricle. Several preclinical and clinical studies have supported the notion that MSCs therapy may be used for cardiac regeneration.When transplanted into the infracted heart, MSCs prevent deleterious remodeling and improve recovery, but the mechanism is not clear. In this work,we review evidence and new prospects that support the use of MSCs in cardiomyoplasty.

To investigate the role of signaling pathway in the effect of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ER stress) in endothelial cells stimulated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE).Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were cultured and divided into 3 groups:CSE-stimulated group,CSE-stimulated with 4-PBA group,and negative control group.HUVECs were cultured and stimulated with CSE at concentrations of 5％,10％ and 20％,respectively,mRNA of CXCL-8 and GRP78 was detected by real-time PCR.ELISA was performed to test the expression of CXCL-8 protein,and neutrophils migration was detected by Transwell board test.The NF-κB,ERK,p38MAPK and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) were detected by flow cytometry.The mRNA of CXCL-8 and GRP78 increased in CSE-stimulated HUVECs (P＜0.05).Furthermore,it was concentration-dependent.4-PBA significantly reduced the expression of CXCL-8 protein (P＜0.05) and neutrophil migration (P＜0.05).The TGF-β,rather than the NF-κB,ERK and P38MAPK pathway might be involved in ER stress stimulated by CSE.CSE induced neutrophils migration by increasing the expression of CXCL-8 in endothelial cells.ER stress might play a role in the effect of neutrophils migration stimulated with CSE,and TGF-β pathway may contribute to the ER stress in HUVECs.

OBJECTIVETo explore the differences of electroacupuncture (EA) on onset time and symptom improvement for treatment of different types of functional constipation.

METHODSThirty-eight cases of constipation were selected, including 9 cases of constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), 10 cases of slow transit constipation (STC), 10 cases of pelvic floor dyssynergia (PFD) and 9 cases of inadequate defecatory propulsion (IDP). The electroacupuncture was applied at Tianshu (ST 25), Fujie (SP 14), Shenshu (BL 23), Dachangshu (BL 25) and so on in abdominal and lumbosacral area, 5 times per week, 10 times as a treatment course. The onset time, score of clinical symptoms of constipation and improvement of every symptom in each group were compared.

RESULTS(1) The onset time was (1.78 +/- 0.83) days in IBS-C type, (3.11 +/- 1.90) days in IDP type, (4.10 +/- 1.85) days in STC type and (4.30 +/- 2.00) days in PFD type, indicating statistical differences between IBS-C type and STC type, IBS-C type and PFD type (both P < 0.05). (2) Compared before the treatment, the total scores of symptoms on the onset day in each group were all improved (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and score of IBS-C type was superior to the rest 3 types (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). (3) EA improved desire to defecate or frequency of defecation in each type (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), in which both were improved in STC type and PFD type, and the improvement of defecation frequency was more significant in STC type (P < 0.01). EA relieved unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling in each type (all P < 0.05), in which both were improved in IBS-C type (both P < 0.05). EA relieved abdominal distension and pain in IBS-C type, STC type and PFD type (all P < 0.05), while its effects were not obvious on defecation difficulty, defecation time and defecation texture (all P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe electroacupuncture for treatment of 4 types of constipation is characterized by rapid onset; the improved symptoms are not identical in the electroacupuncture treatment plan for each type of defecation; the main improvement of symptoms are lied on desire to defecate and frequency of defecation, unsmooth defecation or pendant-expansion feeling and abdominal distension and pain. Meanwhile the improvements of defecation texture, defecation difficulty and defecation time were not signi-ficant.

Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; etiology ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Defecation ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pelvic Floor Disorders ; complications ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate in vitro transfection of anti-nuclear factor-κB ( NF-κB) ribozyme gene to human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) mediated by recombinant adeno-associated virus 9 carrying enhanced green fluorescent protein gene ( rAAV9-EGFP-R65 ) and to study their effects on cell proliferation and NF-κB P65 expression.Methods HUVECs and HASMCs were respectively transfected with rAAV9-EGFP-R65 at different multiplicity of infection ( MOI=1 ×105 , 1 ×106 and 1×107).The expression of EGFP was observed with fluorescence microscopy .Flow cytometry was performed to evaluate the transfection efficiency .Alamar Blue assay was used to measure the proliferation of the transfected cells.Western blot was used to detect NF-κB P65 expression .Results The fluorescence intensity was enhanced along with an increased MOI and an extended time of transfection .HUVECs and HASMCs transfected with rAAV 9-EGFP-R65 began to express EGFP at 24 h after transfection .The expression peak appeared on the sixth day in HUVECs, and the fifth day in HASMCs.The efficiencies of transfection in HUVECs at MOI of 1×105, 1×106 and 1×107 on the sixth day were (1.40±1.20)%, (12.30±1.35)%and (52.80±2.05)%, respectively.The trans-fection efficiencies of HASMCs on the fifth day were (5.30±1.04)%, (18.30±2.24)% and (52.40±3.21)%at MOI of 1×105 , 1×106 and 1×107 .Cell growth and morphology were not affected by transfection .Alamar Blue assay confirmed that there was no significant difference in the absorbance value between the transfected cells and two types of control cells .Western blot assay showed that the expression of NF-κB P65 was decreased by the trans-fection of rAAV9-EGFP-R65 in HUVECs and HASMCs .Conclusion rAAV9-EGFP-R65 can be efficiently trans-fected into two types of human vascular cells .It shows no inhibitory effects on cell proliferation , but can repress NF-κB P65 expression.

BACKGROUND:The formation of atherosclerotic lesions in apolipoprotein E knockout mice is similar to that of human systemic atherosclerosis, and apolipoprotein E knockout mice are ideal animals for current establishment of atherosclerosis models.
OBJECTIVE:To research the pathological process of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice aged different weeks, and to explore the effect of different diets on the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E knockout mice.
METHODS:Male apolipoprotein E knockout mice aged 8 weeks old were randomly divided into two groups, and fed with high fat diet and normal diet, respectively, for 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 weeks.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Serological detection revealed that serum total cholesterol, triglycerides and low density lipoprotein levels were significantly higher in different weeks of mice of high fat diet group than in the normal diet group (P<0.05), in a time-dependent manner. Gross and frozen oil red O staining showed that atherosclerotic plaque area of lumen was significantly larger in the high fat diet group than in the normal diet group (P<0.05), in a time-dependent manner. At this time, significant differences in plaque area of lumen at each week were detected between both groups (P<0.05). Apparent lipid plaque was visible in aorta at 16 weeks of high fat diet in mice. Results demonstrated that apolipoprotein E knockout mice of atherosclerosis were successful y established. The formation of lipid streaks and fiber hyperplasia was faster in high fat diet group than in the normal diet group.

To study the protective mechanism of Danhong injection on brain microvascular endothelial cells (rBMECs) injured by hypoxic. In the experiment, primary suckling mouse's rBMECs cells were collected and identified with factor VIII to establish the 4 h injury model. Meanwhile, rBMECs were given Danhong injection (25, 50, 100 mL . L-1), and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the malonyldialdehyde (MDA) level were detected by the biochemical method. Cell MMP-9, ICAM-1 and P53 mRNA expression levels were detected by RT-PCR method. Changes in cells' microscopic structure were observed by transmission electron microscope. According to the results, primary rBMECs were notably injured by hypoxia. Compared with model group, Danhong injection (50, 100 mL . L-1) could remarkably resist the injury induced by hypoxic, increase intracellular SOD activity, decrease MDA level and significantly down-regulate ICAM-1, MMP-9 and P53 mRNA expressions. Danhong injection (100 mL . L-1) could protect the cells' normal morphology and microscopic structure, maintain the close intercellular junction, and inhibit the hypoxia-induced cell apoptosis. The results showed that Danhong injection plays a significant role in protecting rBMECs injured by hypoxia. Its mechanism may be related to the enhancement of cells' antioxidant capacity, the inhibition of inflammatory response and the cell apoptosis.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Injections ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; Protective Agents ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; genetics

To explore the effect and mechanism of Guhong injection against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham-operated group, the model group, the nimodipine group, and high, medium and low-dose Guhong injection groups, with 10 rats in each group. The middle cerebral artery embolization (MCAO) model was established to observe neurological deficit symptoms, infarct volume, SOD activity, MDA content, GSH-Px and CAT activity in rats, as well as the contents of t-PA, PAI, TXB2 and 6-keto-PGF1α in serum. The results showed that Guhong injection could obviously promote the recovery of neurological deficit symptoms, narrow the brain infarct volume in rats after surgery, significantlyincrease the activities of SOD, GSH-Px and CAT and decrease the content of MDA. Meanwhile, it also could obviously increase the contents of t-PA and 6-keto-PGF1α and decrease the contents of PAI and TXB2 in serum, indicating that Guhong injection have better antioxidant and antithrombus effects, as well as a significant protective effect against cerebral ischemia reperfusion injury in rats.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; pharmacology ; Brain Ischemia ; drug therapy ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Injections ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism